2026 Summer School - Flamenco

GUITAR SUMMER SCHOOL Cheltenham, UK 2026 12 - 15 Aug

JOIN US!

IGF’s GUITAR SUMMER SCHOOL 2026

Welcome!

This year our Guitar Festival & Summer School is held in the beautiful Spa town of Cheltenham. Again we have a stunning line up of great courses and concerts for you. Join us in the wonderful setting of Dean Close School which has amazing facilities and is ideally located less than 10 minutes from the gorgeous town centre.

Tom Kerstens Artistic Director, IGF

Welcome to the IGF Flamenco Guitar Course 2026 Master the Fandango flamenco palos (Fandango de Huelva, Verdiales, Malagueña and Granaína) whilst perfecting your guitar technique and sense of rhythm (compás). Central to the philosophy underpinning the entire course is a simple notion: all the Fandango-influenced flamenco palos have common characteristics. Once you’ve learnt one, the skills are directly transferable to all the others. Each aspect of this course builds progressively, from fundamentals to more challenging concepts. Additionally, matters relating to flamenco guitar technique and rhythm (compás) will be covered comprehensively. As such, this course is suitable for both flamenco aficionados and those completely new to the art form!

Samuel Moore Course Lead

What’s included?

group lessons to develop your flamenco technique and knowledge of rhythm (compás).

GROUP LESSONS

Giorgio Serci shares practical tools to create effective accompaniments and develop melodic and harmonic variations. Flamenco technique workshop with Samuel Moore . Flamenco techniques are very useful in Spanish classical music and contemporary music.

WORKSHOP

be captivated by world-class performances from some of the finest classical guitarists in the world.

EVENING CONCERTS

enjoy inspiring lunchtime recitals featuring emerging talent and special guest artists.

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

This course is suitable for intermediate level guitarists (2+ years of playing), and prior experience of flamenco guitar playing is NOT essential. Flamenco guitar

SAMUEL MOORE

Course outline

During the course you'll explore four of the most important Fandango flamenco palos:

Fandango de Huelva Verdiales Malagueña Granaína

Recommended level Beginner - Intermediate level

By the end of the course, not only will you have mastered each palo, but also you’ll have developed your flamenco technique, knowledge of rhythm (compás) and ultimately taken your understanding of flamenco to the next level!

LEVEL 2

Need more advice? email us: info@igf.org.uk

Book here

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS

GIORGIO SERCI workshop lead

SAMUEL MOORE flamenco workshop

Flamenco students are welcome to join some of the afternoon workshops and lectures in the classical guitar programme.

Flamenco techniques workshop

Expand your technique and transform your sound!

Designed especially for classical players, this session dives into the vibrant world of flamenco technique and rhythm. You’ll explore how to confidently execute powerful rasgueo and abanico techniques, unlock essential flamenco rhythmic concepts, and (most importantly) learn how to seamlessly integrate these into your classical repertoire. Samuel Moore is fast establishing himself as one of the leading musicians of his generation. SAMUEL MOORE

This workshop equips intermediate to advanced classical guitarists with practical tools to create effective accompaniments and develop melodic and harmonic variations over any chord progression. Participants will explore chord voicings, voice leading, bass line construction, and texture building, gaining strategies to transform simple harmonic structures into expressive musical settings. Giorgio Serci is an award winning guitarist, composer, arranger and educator with International credentials. Beyond the Page: The Art of Creative Expression on the Classical Guitar

GIORGIO SERCI

SCHEDULE

WED 12

THU 13

FRI 14

SAT 15

SUN 16

breakfast

Registration & welcome

departure

MORNING

group lessons

lunch

YAP = Young Artist Platform

YAP concert

group lessons

AFTERNOON

group lessons

rehearsals

FRIENDS & FAMILY WELCOME!

student concert

workshop (Samuel Moore)

workshop (Giorgio Serci)

come along to the rock/pop concert, it’s guaranteed to be a fun night!

dinner

EVENING

evening concert

dinner

contemporary styles student concert

STUDENT CONCERT

On Friday afternoon the flamenco group will join the classical guitarists to perform in the student concert. Students will have the opportunity to play solo or with others. Don’t forget to invite friends and family along to hear you play (free entry).

The concert is professionally filmed. Students will receive a recording of their performance.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the concerts.

Samuel’s hard work, passion and energy was truly inspiring

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

An inspiring experience from start to finish

The week was full of music, learning and friendship

Samuel Moore was an excellent teacher

CONCERTS free entry

FREE ENTRY ALL CONCERTS Our summer school is unique in bringing together players of many different styles of guitar. Throughout the week there will be concerts in the evenings and lunchtimes in classical, flamenco and contemporary styles. We are proud to showcase the amazing diversity of the instrument and would encourage all students to come along to the concerts and hear something new!

EVENING CONCERTS 7.30 PM

Francisco Bernier

Tues 11 Aug

Tom Kerstens

Weds 12 Aug

Francisco Correa / Samuel Moore

Thurs 13 Aug

Xuefei Yang

Fri 14 Aug

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS Showcasing talented musicians from IGF’s ground-breaking Young Artist Programme (YAP) that supports exceptional artists in the early stages of their careers.

1.00 PM

Maryna Vosmirova / The Rhossili Duo

Weds 12 Aug

Eva Victoria Schockmel / The Fika Duo

Thurs 13 Aug

QUESTIONS?

do I need to be able to read music

what preparation do I need to do

Students with no background in flamenco should work on some of the basic flamenco techniques: rasgueo, thumb rest stroke and arpeggio so that they can focus on language during the course and not get bogged down in technique.

No. As flamenco is primarily an aural tradition, reading from music is not required. Students are encouraged to bring their phones to make recordings of what they have learnt.

I am a beginner, will it be right for me

can friends attend the student concert

Students can be new to flamenco guitar but should have at least 1-2 yrs playing experience in another style.

absolutely, please invite them (entry is free)

email: info@igf.org.uk tel: +44 03330 419701

DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL Cheltenham

By plane: both Bristol and Birmingham airports are approx 50 miles away You can also fly to any London airport and take the train from London Paddington By car: free parking is available on site for residential students By train: Cheltenham GL51 6QD GETTING THERE

from London Paddington (1hr 50mins) from Birmingham New Street (45mins)

Dean Close School is approx 10 mins walk from Cheltenham Spa train station

MAIN VENUES & ACCOMMODATION

Shelburne House

Main venues

VENUES & FACILITIES

Dean Close Senior School

Senior School - teaching rooms for contemporary styles courses Music School - teaching rooms for classical/flamenco courses

Helen Porter Hall - concert venue (small) Bacon Theatre - concert venue (large) Edwards Dining Hall - refectory for all meals Sports Facilities - swimming pool, tennis courts & gym Brook Court House - accommodation block (closest to venues) Shelburne House - accommodation block (approx 5mins walk from venues)

BACON THEATRE

The impressive Bacon Theatre is open during the week for evening concerts and the contemporary styles final night student concert. 550-seat auditorium

HELEN PORTER HALL The classical and flamenco guitar courses are based in the Helen Porter Hall and music school with its multiple teaching rooms, practice rooms and break-out spaces. 120-seat recital hall

TEACHING ROOMS

The classical and flamenco course take place in music school teaching and practice rooms around the Helen Porter recital hall. Morning and afternoon coffee breaks are taken in the nearby Dining Hall.

SPORTS FACILITIES

25m swimming pool Access to the pool can be arranged, at set times and with a small additional charge to cover the provision of a lifeguard. Tennis courts | Gym Students other residents will be able to use the tennis courts and gym (remember to bring your own gear). Details on how to book will be included in the information pack students will receive a few weeks before the event.

ACCOMMODATION PRICING

4 nights

5 nights

£500

£625

Single ensuite | 1 single bed | shared ensuite between 2 rooms

£700

£875

Shared ensuite | 2 single beds | shared ensuite between rooms

£400

£500

Single room | 1 single bed | shared toilet/bathroom

£600

£750

Double room | 2 single beds | shared toilet/bathroom

£220 4 days

£275 5 days

Day rate | meals only ( breakfast, lunch, dinner + coffee/tea ) & parking

ROOM OPTIONS

Stay on-site in single or shared rooms

1 single bed room, shared ensuite (Jack & Jill) 2 single beds room, shared ensuite (Jack & Jill)

1 single bed room, no ensuite , shared bathroom 2 single beds room, no ensuite, shared bathroom

What is a Jack & Jill room ?

1 bathroom is shared between 2 rooms.

BROOK COURT HOUSE

location: what3words ///motion.chimp.prom

Brook Court House

This accommodation block is close to the main venues, teaching rooms and parking area so it is more suitable for students with restricted mobility. The rooms available in this block are: single ‘Jack & Jill’ (shared ensuite) one or two bed rooms (shared bathroom)

SHELBURNE HOUSE

location: what3words ///expert.send.drama

Shelburne House

This accommodation block is a 5min walk from the main venues, teaching rooms and parking area. The rooms available in this block are: single ‘Jack & Jill’ (shared ensuite) two bed ‘Jack & Jill’ (shared ensuite)

DINING HALL

Edwards Dining Hall

All meals are served in the dining hall and coffee/tea provided in the morning and afternoon breaks.

Good quality hot meals are provided and vegetarians and vegans are catered for.

breakfast (cooked) morning coffee/tea break lunch afternoon coffee/tea break dinner

BAR FACILITIES

The bar in the foyer of the Bacon Theatre will be open every evening.

Students under 18yrs old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or IGF staff member

QUESTIONS?

is parking available on site

are there lifts in the accommodation blocks

no, you can specify ground floor if required

yes, parking is free of charge for residents

do the double rooms have double beds

is there wifi available

no, all rooms have single beds only

yes, free wifi is available

is it possible to stay with my family?

is there anywhere to do laundry

yes, laundry facilities are available

yes, rooms can be booked for friends/family

email: info@igf.org.uk tel: +44 03330 419701

CANCELLATION POLICY Please note that course fees are only refundable when attendance is not possible for medical reasons (written verification from a medical professional will be required).

Accommodation bookings are fully refundable up to 31 July 2026.

If you are not able to attend for any other reason, please let us know as soon as possible beforehand. At our discretion, we may be able to offer postponement till the following year. 3rd party Refund protection is available as an add-on in the booking process at an additional charge.

2026 PRICES

Tuition Fees

Accommodation

March Discount 25% pay in full by 31 March

4 Nights Accommodation from £400 incl breakfast, lunch & dinner | tea/coffee | free parking

£428

Early Bird 15%

£485

Day Rate (x 4) £220 incl breakfast, lunch & dinner | tea/coffee | free parking Non-residents

pay in full by 31 May

Full Price

£570

pay in full by 31 July

BOOK HERE

Youth Discount 35% pay in full by 31 July 18yrs old and under

£370

THANK YOU!

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

www.igf.org.uk Call +44 03330 419701

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37

Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker